The ESPN FC crew discuss the epic penalty shootout between Liverpool and Middlesbrough at Anfield, as the Reds booked their place in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted his side are making too many defensive mistakes, after they came through an extraordinary penalty shootout against Middlesbrough to claim a place in the Capital One Cup fourth round.
Anfield was treated to enduring spot kick drama that was eventually won 14-13 by the home side after the tie finished 2-2 after extra time, with Rodgers breathing a huge sigh of relief after his side’s triumph.
“We are delighted to get through after being in the lead and giving away poor goals,” he told Sky Sports. “At the moment we are making too many mistakes, but I can’t fault their character and the mentality of the players because they kept going and in the period of extra time, we were very good.
“We had to step up to get through to the next round on penalties and I’ve got to say both teams showed great composure. Congratulations to Middlesbrough, I thought they were excellent.
“We are in the hat for the next round and that is all that matters. We want to do as well as we can in every competition and there are a lot of satisfied players in my dressing room.
“Now we need to get our Premier League season up and running and there would be no better way to do that than in the derby game [against Everton on Saturday].”
Jordan Rossiter, left, drew heaps of praise from his manager after scoring against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Rodgers reserved special praise for teenage debutant Jordan Rossiter, on a night when a host of fresh faces were given a chance to prove their worth in a much-changed Liverpool line-up.
“I thought Rossiter was excellent, he showed real good composure and his temperament was good,” stated Rodgers. “He followed up the finish really well, showed good technique and power to put it in the corner.
“Jordan Williams came on and showed great stature on the field and I also have to give credit to young Suso. He has not had many chances, but he was bright and scored a good goal. He also showed good composure in the penalties.”
Rickie Lambert captained the Reds at Anfield and while he is still awaiting his first goal for the club he joined from Southampton in June, Rodgers is satisfied with the contribution the England striker is making to his team.
“Rickie has done well coming off the bench for us,” added the Liverpool boss. “He was aware that was going to be a prominent role for him this season, but he is also able to start in games. He has great quality and his finishing is good.
“We didn’t quite give him the service he thrives on and it was obviously a great honour for him to captain the team being a local Liverpool lad.”